VOL. XIII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 635 



scribing the differences of complexions, with physiognomical signs thence 

 arising; showing also what effects climate, custom, and dissimulation have, in 

 altering the face; giving a brief account of choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, and 

 melancholic 'dispositions ; recounting some signs of virtues and vices in men; 

 and lastly, reckoning up the humours and manners of several particular nations, 

 the author seems to have brought together all the most general rules, and to 

 have given the reader a scheme and prospect of the whole art of physiognomy. 

 The work concludes with a discourse on monsters. 



Some Observations on the Ruins of a Roman Wall and Multangular-Tower at 

 York. By Mart. Lister, Esq. N° Up, p. 238. 



In carefully viewing the antiquities of York, and particularly what might re- 

 late to the Roman empire, of which this place had been a seat, and the residence 

 of at least two of the emperors, Severus and Constantine, I found a part of a 

 wall yet standing, which is undoubtedly of that time; it is the south wall of the 

 Mint-yard, being formerly an hospital of St. Lawrence, looking towards the 

 river, and consists of a multangular-tower, which led to Bootham Bar, and some 

 yards of wall, which ran the length of Coning- street. 



The outside towards the river, is the most worthy of notice. It is faced with 

 a very small square stone, of about 4 inches thick, and laid in level courses, 

 like our modern brick work ; but the length of the stones is not observed, be- 

 ing such as they fell out in hewing : from the foundation 20 courses of this 

 small squared stone are laid, and over them 5 courses of Roman brick ; these 

 bricks are laid some lengthwise, and some endwise in the wall, and were called 

 lateres Diatoni : after these 5 courses of brick, other 22 courses of small square 

 stone are laid as before, and then 5 more courses of the same Roman bricks are 

 overlaid, beyond which the wall is imperfect, and topped with modern building. 

 Note, that in all this height there is no casement or loop-hole, being one entire 

 and uniform wall, from which it seems the wall had been built some courses 

 higher after the same manner. 



These bricks were to be as throughs, or as it were so many new foundations 

 to that which was to be superstructed ; and to bind the two sides together firm- 

 ly ; for the wall itself is only faced with small square stone, and the middle 

 filled with mortar and pebble. And lest it should seem strange, that bricks 

 should give a firmness to stone buildings, Vitruvius testifies, and therefore com- 

 mends brick building before stone, even for the duration; and therefore in 

 Rome, abatement was always made for the age of stone building; none for that 

 of brick, provided it kept its level, and stood upright upon its foundation; and 

 therefore to excuse it, he at large gives a reason why the Romans suffered not 



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